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Electromagnetism
MAGNETIC EFFECTS OF CURRENT:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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9.
10.

Electromagnetism is the branch of physics which deals with relation between electricity and
magnetism.
A static charge produces only electric field but moving charge produces both electric field and
magnetic field in space.
Moving charge current is the source of magnetic field.
Oersted in 1820 AD observed that magnetic field is produced by a current carrying conductor.
Ampere established relationship between the current in the conductor and strength of the magnetic
field around the conductor.
Oersteds experiment : A magnetic compass needle placed in the vicinity of a conductor carrying
conductor aligned perpendicular to the conductor.
The direction of deflection of north pole of magnetic needle is given by Amperes swimming rule.
Amperes swimming rule : Imagine that a man is swimming along the conductor in
i
the direction of the current facing a magnetic needle the north pole of the needle will
deflect towards his left hand.
N
S
The magnetic lines of force around a current carrying conductor are concentric
circles with their center lying on the conductor.
i
The direction of magnetic field around the current carrying conductor is given
by
a) Maxwells cork screw rule
b) Right hand thumb rule

Maxwells cork screw rule : Imagine a right hand screw is advancing in the direction of current in
a conductor. Then the direction of rotation of the screw gives the direction of magnetic lines of
induction.
Right hand thumb rule : Imagine that a current carrying conductor is held in the right hand palm
such that the direction of current is indicated by the thumb. Then the other fingers indicate the
direction of magnetic lines of induction.
B
G
11. Amperes law : Amperes law states that the line integral of B.dl along a closed
i r
dl
path round the current carrying conductor is equal to o i where i is the current
through the surface bounded by the closed path and o permeability of free space.
B.dl = o i
B 2 r = o i

B=

oi
2r

12. Biot-Savarts law : The magnetic induction at a point near a current carrying conductor is directly

proportional to the length of the conductor, the strength of the current and sine of the angle made
by the line joining the point with the conductor and inversely proportional to the square of the
distance of the point
dB =

o i.dl. sin
.
;
4
r2

G
i G G
dB = o . d l x r
4 r 3

Electromagnetism
G G
( d l x r ).

The direction of magnetic induction is given by the vector

This law is valid only for small
current segments.
13. Ampere's law and Biot-Savart law are equivalent but Ampere's law is more useful in some
symmetrical conditions.
A
14. The magnetic induction at a point P due to a conductor of finite length is
G i
B = 0 (sin + sin )
4r

15. The magnetic field induction due to the current carrying conductor of

G 2i
G i
infinite length is given by B = 0 or B = 0
4 r
2r

Magnetic field at one end of infinite long conductor is B =

0i
4r

16. The magnetic field induction due to the long current carrying cylindrical conductor is
G
ir
B= 0
2 (R + r ) 2

Where R is the radius of the conductor and r is the distance of the point from the surface of the
G

conductor at which the value of B is given. However if r>>R, then B =

0i
2r

17. The magnetic field induction at a point along the axis of a circular coil is
G
2nir 2
where n = number of turns, i = current in the coil, r = radius and x = the
B= 0 2
4 (r + x 2 )3 / 2

distance of the point from the centre of the coil.

G
2niA
B= 0 2
4 (r + x 2 )3 / 2
G
2niA
If x >> r, then B = 0 3
4 x
G
2M
i.e., B = 0 3 where M = magnetic moment of the current loop.
4 x

18. (a) The magnetic field induction at the centre of a circular coil of n turns is given by relation
G ni
B= 0
2 r

(b) Magnetic field induction at the centre of an arc is B =

0i
4r

19. For a solenoid of finite length at any point on the axis

=

0 Ni
[sin + sin ] ;
2

L
N is number of turns per unit length.
20. A solenoid consists of closely wounded helical coil. Inside the solenoid the field is almost uniform.

The magnetic induction at the centre of the solenoid is B =

0 ni
l

where l is the axial length and n is

total number of turns in length l of the solenoid. The equation holds good only when the radius of
the turns is very small when compared with the length.
21. When current is passed through a helical spring, it contracts due to mutual attraction between
consecutive turns.
Force on a moving charge in a magnetic field :
2

Electromagnetism
22. An electric charge moving in a uniform magnetic field experiences a force (F).
G
G
G G
F = q( v x B) or F = qvB sin

23. The direction of force is obtained by right hand grip rule. When the charge enters into a uniform
magnetic field perpendicular to its direction, then F = qvB. If it enters along the direction of the
field, F = 0.
24. The force can only change the direction in which the charge is moving but not its speed. Hence no
work is done by it.
25. When a charged particle moves in a uniform magnetic field at right angles to the direction of the
field.
i) the trajectory of motion changes and
ii) the speed and energy of a particle remain the same.
26. When a charged particle moves in an electric field, work is done and hence its kinetic energy
increases.
27. If we assume that the earths magnetic field is due to a long circular loop of current in the interior of
the earth, then the plane of the loop will be east-west and the current passes in clockwise direction
when seen from earths north pole.
28. An electron is moving vertically downwards at a certain place. The direction of force on it due to
the horizontal component of the earths magnetic field is towards west.
29. The force acting on a charged particle when it enters a uniform magnetic field of induction B, with
velocity v at right angles to the field will provide the necessary centripetal force and make the
charged particle move along a circular path of radius r.
mv 2
mv
or
= qvB ; r =
qB
r
2
sin ce T =
, we have T =

F=

v qB
=
r
m
2m
qB

Thus time period is independent of the particle-speed. Hence the faster particles move in bigger
circles and slower particles move in smaller circles such that the period of revolution T is the same.
30. The frequency ( ) =

qB
2m

and is called cyclotron frequency.

31. If a charged particle enters a uniform magnetic field along the line of the field, it goes undeviated.
If it enters at an angle of inclination other than 90o to the field, its path is helical.
32. When both the electric and magnetic fields are present, the total force on q is
G
G
G G
F = qE + qv x B . This force is known as Lorentz force.
33. The frequency of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field is known as cyclotron frequency as
the particles in a circular accelerator, called cyclotron, move with this frequency.
34. Cyclotron is a device used to accelerate charged particles to high speed for nuclear reaction. It was
invented by Lawrence.
The force on a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field :
35. When a conductor of length l carrying a current i is placed at an angle to the direction of the
magnetic field of flux density or induction B, the force on the conductor or wire is given by
G
G G
F = i( l x B) or F = ilB sin

Its direction can be determined by using Flemings left hand rule, whose statement is as follows:
Stretch the fore finger, middle finger and thumb of the left hand mutually perpendicular to each
other. If the fore finger represents the direction of magnetic field, the middle finger that of current,
then the thumb will represent the direction of force on the conductor.
Force & torque on current loop or coil in a magnetic field :
36. The total magnetic force on any closed current loop in a uniform magnetic field is zero.
3

Electromagnetism
37. Torque or couple on a current carrying rectangular conductor or loop in a uniform magnetic field is
given by = iAB sin where A is the area of the rectangular loop, B is the magnetic induction and
is the angle between the normal to the plane of the rectangular loop and the field. If there are n
turns, then the torque acting on the coil suspended is given by = niAB sin or = MB sin where M
is the magnetic dipole moment equal to niA and is the angle between the magnetic induction and
the normal to the plane of the coil i.e., the direction of the magnetic moment. When the plane of the
coil makes an angle with the field, then the couple acting on the coil is = niABCos or =
MBCos .
38. If i1 and i2 are the strengths of currents passing through two infinitely long, straight and parallel
wires separated by a distance r, the magnetic field induction B, due to the flow of current in the
G

first conductor at a distance r on the second conductor is B1 =

0 i1
.
2r

The force exerted by this induction on a length l on the second conductor is F = i2B1l
G

The force per unit length is F =

0 i1i 2
.
2r

If the current is in the same direction, there will be attraction and if the current is passing in
opposite direction, there will be repulsion.
39. An ampere is that steady current when flowing in each of two long straight parallel wires separated
by a distance of one metre apart in vacuum causes each wire exert to each other a force of 2x10-7 N
per each metre length of wire.
Moving coil galvanometer :
40. A moving coil galvanometer consists of a powerful horse shoe magnet with concave poles to
produce
a uniform radial magnetic field. On a cylindrical soft iron core, a coil is wound and the coil is
suspended with a phosphorbronze fibre. The plane of the coil always lies in the direction of the
magnetic field because the magnetic field is radial. The whole apparatus is kept inside a brass case
provided with a glass window.
i=

C
NAB

ampere

Here C is the couple per unit twist on the suspension fibre, i is the current passing through the
galvanometer coil and is the angle of deflection by the needle.
C/BAN is a constant (k) is called as galvanometer constant. Deflection is measured more
accurately using Lamp and Scale arrangement. The ray reflected onto the scale by the mirror is
deflected by 'x'. The distance between the mirror attached to the suspension fibre of the
galvanometer and the scale is D, then
Tan2 2 when 2 is very small
Then 2 =

x
x
; =
2D
D

;i=

C
x
.
BAN 2D

41. The current sensitivity of a galvanometer is the deflection in mm produced on a scale kept at a
distance of one metre by a constant current of one microampere.
42. The reciprocal of the current sensitivity is called figure of merit and is expressed in A/mm.
43. A current upto 109A can be measured using moving coil galvanometer.
44. Table Galvanometer : It has a rectangular coil of insulated copper supported on two bearings. The
poles of the magnet are concave. It has a light aluminium pointer which moves on a scale. The
whole arrangement is kept in an ebonite case with a glass window.
45. Comparison of MCG with TG :
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Electromagnetism
Moving Coil Galvanometer
MCG is a moving coil type galvanometer and
the coil rotates in a magnetic field when current
is passed through the coil.
The plane of the coil need not be aligned in
magnetic induction.
The current flowing through the coil is directly
proportional to the deflection.
It is accurate and can be used to measure the
currents of order 109 A with proper design.

Tangent Galvanometer
TG is a moving magnet type galvanometer. The
magnetic needle rotates when current is passed
through the coil.
The plane of the coil must be in magnetic
meridian.
The current flowing in the coil is proportional to
the tangent of deflection.
Tan values are not so accurate and can be used to
measure the currents of the order 106 A.
The galvanometer reduction factor depends on
The galvanometer constant does not depend on
earths magnetic field which is different at
earths magnetic field.
different places.
Stray magnetic fields have no effect on it and
External fields have effect on it and therefore TG
can be used for the measurement of the currents
cannot be used in mines.
even in mines.
Tangent Galvanometer :
46. a) It is portable and minimum measurable current is of the order of 106 A.
b) works on the principle of Tangent law B= BH Tan
Here B = Magnetic induction due to passage of current in the coil =

0i
2r

2rB

c) current measured by Tangent galvanometer is i = H Tan = KTan

0n
r = Radius of coil
n = number of turns of coil
d) Reading is more accurate when = 45 since relative error

di
1

i sin 2

and it is minimum for

45
e) Sensitiveness is maximum when = 0 since sensitiveness

d
cos2,
di

which is maximum for

= 0.
f) During experiment, plane of the coil should be along the magnetic meridian [to fulfill the
requirement of tangent law]
47. Shunt :
a) A low resistance connected in parallel to galvanometer to protect it from large current is known
as shunt.
b) i = ig + is
i(S )
G+S
i(G)
d) is =
G+S
i
S
1
e) g =
=
is G + S n

c) ig =

Electromagnetism
f) effective resistance of circuit =

GS
G+S

g) If the range of galvanometer is increased to n times, 1/nth of main current passes through
galvanometer. Hence sensitiveness decrease by n times.
48. Ammeter :
a) It is a device used to measure current in electrical circuits.
b) Galvanometer can be converted in to Ammeter by connecting low resistance parallel to it.
c) To increase the range by n times or to decrease the Sensitiveness by n times , shunt to be
connected across Galvanometer.
S=

ig(G)
G
=
i ig (n 1)

Here n =

i
ig

new range old dividisions / A

=
old range
new divisions / A

d) Resistance of Ammeter =

GS
G+S

e) Resistance of ideal Ammeter is zero and its conductivity is infinity

f) Ammeter must be always connected in series to the conductor.
g) Among low range and high range Ammeter, low range Ammeter has more resistance.
h) As shunt value decreases sensitivity decreases, accuracy increases.
49. Voltmeter :
a) Voltmeter is a device used to measure P.D. across the conductor in electric circuits.
b) Galvanometer is converted into voltmeter by connecting high resistance in series to it.
c) Voltmeter is always connected in parallel to the conductor [P.D. across which is to be measured]
d) Resistance of voltmeter = G +R =

V
ig

e) Here V is range of voltmeter (e) resistance of ideal voltmeter is infinity and conductivity is
zero.
f) Among low range and high range voltmeters, high range voltmeter has more resistance.
g) P.D. across the ends of voltmeter is, V =ig+(G+R)
h) Resistance to be connected in series to galvanometer to convert into voltmeter is R =
i) To increase the range by n times,
n =
=

new rangeV2
old rangeV1

i g (G + R )
i g (G)

= 1+

j)

R
G

Hence resistance to be connected in series to galvanometer is R = G(n-1).

As series resister value increases sensitivity decreases, accuracy increases

V
G.
ig